“Rain will begin mixing with freezing rain, sleet and then snow from north to south across most of the area,” the NWS said statement said.

After a forecast high Monday in the mid 50s, the temperatures are expected to plummet to the upper 20s that night. The region then isn’t expected to see temperatures above freezing until Wednesday.

Parish Homeland Security Director Kip Franklin said Friday the initial worst-case scenario showed a possible quarter inch of freezing rain and ice and up to 2 1/2 inches of snow.
The NWS will hold a briefing this afternoon to update the forecast.

The long-range forecast also shows another chance of freezing rain and sleet on Thursday.

An event originally set as a fall open house for the Ruston Fire Department has grown over the last several years into a fun event for children.

Hot Halloween will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ruston Fire Station on East Georgia Avenue. The event will be held rain or shine.

“Hot Halloween was originally planned as a fall open house for the fire department,” Public Education Officer Eric Brazzel said. “Since October is Fire Prevention Month, we thought it would be a nice way for the community to see where we work, the equipment we work with and what we do.”

Community Trust Bank has been named one of the top three Best Banks to Work For by American Banker magazine in the $3 to $10 billion range. The program, which was initiated in 2013 to identify, recognize, and honor the best banks to work for in the nation, is a project of American Banker and Best Companies Group.

Motorists can now get to Celebrity Drive from Reynolds Drive without having to take the long way around. The newly complete Reynolds Drive extension was officially opened Wednesday with a brief ribbon cutting ceremony. The extension was the last part of a project that included three-laning Reynolds Drive and Goodwin Road where the streets intersect, making the intersection a four-way stop. Mayor Ronny Walker said the Reynolds Drive extension not only enhances traffic flow, but also is an important connector road for economic growth. The Reynolds Drive extension project cost $550,000.